My second Dell computer in four years bit the dust last week and I cleaned out my digital camera savings fund to buy a new computer. It has Vista on it. I'm distraught at what I've lost and need some suggestions about where to go from here. (Please keep in mind that going to hell is not an option...I appear to have already landed there ...so that suggestion isn't necessary Also, remember I'm broke now so I can't afford a lot of software. :sad

1. Windows mail is supposed to easily import Outlook Express files. Although I backed my email up religiously when I backed up my last computer, I can't get the contacts and the old email files to import--they just plain aren't recognized. No error messages--just no files imported. Anyone know if there's anything I can do about that?

2. My Ipswitch WS-FTP program is not compatible with Vista. Does Vista have a file transfer protocol of some sort built in that would enable me to upload files to and maintain my website? If it has one, I haven't found it, yet...

3. Any idea why I can't download certain online games anymore, like Sudoku or the Daily Crossword? Haven't been able to download them even though I downloaded the newest versions of both Flash and Java I can't tell if the problem is with the site or with my new software. :sad:

4. I won't even go into how I feel about Vista's photo editors, but if anyone has any suggestions as to how to change where images are imported to (My Pictures in a file stupidly named... ) I'd appreciate it! Seems like Vista tries to do everything for you but I'd rather set it up to do it my way... Yeah, I'm a fussy old bat.

Any suggestions for ease of transition or even for good reading material on Vista would be appreciated. I'd like to be fully functional again by 2010 but I'm not holding out much hope.

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"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

I'm back to crying again. Vista is worthless....especially if you have dial-up. I can't burn XP out to a disk at 24.4 Kbps dialup speed. It just took me 5 stinking hours trying to download 25 M of software that didn't turn out to be what I thought it was

This absolutely totally sucks. Vista has sent me back to ground zero--no newsletters, no website.... Lucky for you, due to the anonymity of cyberspace, you just missed a total meltdown. Much better to have saved the money and put it toward a functional digital camera system with some bells and whistles than to have bought this piece of crap and end up with a totally dysfunctional computer system. It's good for bulletin boards and putting pictures where I don't want them on the computer.

Congratulations Microsoft on another wonderful contribution to the world of home computers.

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"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

I'm back to crying again. Vista is worthless....especially if you have dial-up. I can't burn XP out to a disk at 24.4 Kbps dialup speed. It just took me 5 stinking hours trying to download 25 M of software that didn't turn out to be what I thought it was

This absolutely totally sucks. Vista has sent me back to ground zero--no newsletters, no website.... Lucky for you, due to the anonymity of cyberspace, you just missed a total meltdown. Much better to have saved the money and put it toward a functional digital camera system with some bells and whistles than to have bought this piece of crap and end up with a totally dysfunctional computer system. It's good for bulletin boards and putting pictures where I don't want them on the computer.

Congratulations Microsoft on another wonderful contribution to the world of home computers.

As this is a brand new computer--was there any guarantees where you can take it back and buy a refurbished XP O/S?

I too am sorry that I'm not familiar with Vista and would love to help you avoid unecessary meltdowns

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A dog wags his tail with his heart
Dogs have Masters--Cats have Staff

Hazel, when I got my laptop, I considered changing Vista to XP. I called Best Buy, and Geek Squad said they were able to do that. I decided against it because it was too expensive. I think they may still do that. I know my boss just purchased a computer and had to especially order it to come with XP.

It's hard to get used to, but eventually you will at least be able to use it without too much trouble. If you can get someone to set it up the way you want it, to allow you to do what you need, then you should be okay after that.

I still wish I had XP, but since I don't have that money to spend to change it back I have no choice. If the next Windows OS is like XP was, I may try to scrounge up the money to change it. But I'll wait until the iron out the kinks first.

The thing is, I was told after the summer Microsoft will no longer offer support for XP.

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There are only two rules at my house: House rule #1. Cats rule. House rule #2. See rule #1.

I don't have any suggestions for you about getting your email back. I've had to reload everything twice in recent months and lost the entire contents of OE in the process. You might try loading Gmail, which is way better, has more memory and stores your stuff on their servers so nothing is lost. You have to be invited, however; let me know if you'd like me to put in a word, all I need is your addy. I still use Outlook Express, in tandem with Gmail, because I cant be bothered to notify the bank, etc.

My techie downloaded Firefox for me the last time we had to reload Windows (XP) and I highly recommend it. Don't mess with the Vista, just download Firefox and use it instead, at least until you've gotten Vista sorted out. On my system, Firefox is faster and has fewer glitches (freezes, etc.).

Its tough to find in some locations but I wouldnt pay more than 100.00 for it! if that! the thing too is you have to make sure its a legit copy because you wont be able to update anything from microsoft and unfortunately we need some of their patches...The other thing too is it would mean rebuilding your system? they will charge you if you dont know how to do it.

Hazel its really frustrating...I am standing firm! No Vista until I absolutely have too!

Alot of the origional cd's that you get with pcs have the extra software so it might be worth it to check out what the cd says!

"UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL, PART OF THEIR SOUL REMAINS UNAWAKENED"
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
-Unknown

I hope you are feeling alittle better Hazel. I have never used Vista. Been to paranoid. I get my computer stuff at a guy I know through a friend, Got a great rebuild laptop for 200 with Windows XP Pro. But It is here in Oshawa. Wish I could be more help
and Drooly kisses from the boys

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Mom To
Matt and Murphy- Born March 18/08
English Mastiffs.
AHHHH They are a year old already!!!!

Very helpful, although I'm too tired to try all the suggestions tonight! Thank your son-in-law for me

T&C, I'm still waiting for that link to load. Sigh...

badger, I'm stuck with IE until I give up on Publisher. I still snail mail out a few newsletters...and then put it out on the web, so I need something that will handle both phases. Unfortunately, Publisher web files are not browsable by Firefox. :sad:

However, this whole issue might end up moot if I can't get my software to work.

Winston, the software is on a disk I have, but it tries to do something that works with XP, not Vista--tells me it needs to run something by 'run as...' and that an administrator has to do it. But my account is the administrator account and I can't figure out how to get around it. I can find out when I call HP tomorrow...

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. Just venting was actually quite helpful At least I'm not threatening the machine with a sledge hammer any more and I've smiled at least twice since dinner

__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

If you are who I think you are--you're gonna set yourself on a mission to conquer your Vista Fiasco Attachment 50373

Oy, you mean the panic was that apparent?

I hate change, too...but when I changed to XP it wasn't nearly as traumatic as the change to Vista. Still, I'm already making plans to get around the obstacles...and some of the dark despair and black clouds are rolling away.

It's not a learning curve, though--it was more like being in the lane when the semi sped through...a flattening experience.

But you're right--in a month or two, I won't remember what all I've lost...so I'll feel better about it. See? Senility has it's up side!

Thanks for the pep talk.

__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."